Switch



A. ALSAKER July 21, 1931.

SWITCH Filed Sept. 27, 1926 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 J y 21, 1931. A. AL SAKER 1,815,392

SWITCH Filed Sept. 27,, 1926 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 A. ALSAKER July 21, 1931.

SWITCH Filed Sept. 27,, 1926 '7 Sheets-Sheet 4 WVIWULLI) Q i A Q b\ N July 21, 1931. A. ALSAKER 31,815,392

' swmcn Filed. Sept. 2'7, 1926 '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 A. ALSAKER July 21, 1931.

swmca Filed Sept. 2'7, 1926 7 Sheets-Sheet e WWI.

yaw 55.

July 21, 1931.- A. AL$AKER SWITCH Filed Sept. 27, 192$ T Sheets-Sheet 7 jiaowzzvr Patented- July 21, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ALFRED ALSAKER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO THE DELTA-STAR ELECTRIC COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS $WITCE Application filed September 2'7, 1926. Serial No. 187,927.

, My invention relates to disconnect switches. Since the number of disconnect switches in a distribution system of even moderate size runs into considerable quantity, individual cost is an important item.

Inherently, a switch of this class must have two contact members, at least one of which shall be movable. These contacts must be suitably supported on insulating members, and the means for separating the contacts must be insulated from the contacts. The contacts must provide a good conducting path when closed. They must be capable of suflicient separation to meet the voltage requirement and they must close satisfactorily and accurately and remain in service indefinitely.

The aim of the present invention is to provide a form of switch which will require a minimum cost, but provide the essential operating features and give the desired continuity of operation and satisfactory service.

In considering the cost of construction it is found that the insulators, particularly when the switch is to operate at considerable voltage, is a large item.

In the present switch I have, therefore, adopted the two insulator construction as involving the minimum number of insulators. The length of opening which the switch must provide depends upon the voltage under which the switch must operate. .In the present-switeh I provide two movable arms in order to avoid the necessity for a long single arm. A long single arm is more difficult to open and more difficult to support and. to guide. It has the difliculty, furthermore, of decreasing the clearance between phases.

In my switch I move both of the arms pivotally on the insulators in opposite angular direction so that the two arms move to the same side of the line joining the insulators for opening and closing movement. The length of the arms is, therefore. substantially half of the distance between the insulators, and when the arms stand off sidewise they point in the same direction and extend only half of the distance between insulators.

In the preferred form of my invention the insulators have the dual function of serving as anchors for the adjacent ends of the line and, at the same time, as the spindle or shaft for swinging the arms away from or towards each other to open or close the switch. The switch contacts on the ends of the arms must be accurately uided into contact in any form of switch. T is requires a close fitting bearing to secure the necessary accuracy of alignment. A. close fitting bearing on outdoor work is well nigh out of the question because of freezing, corrosion, etc. I-have solved the problem by the use of a special bearing, namely, a ball bearing which is introduced not particularly on account of its low friction, although that is useful, but because I have found that such a bearing gives the necessary accuracy and, at the same time, provides means for breaking ice or corrosion which might otherwise block the switch. This feature is claimed more broadly in my co-pending application, Serial No. 137 ,926, filed September 27, 1926.

I provide an improved form of bearing and connection for mechanically supporting the line wire and for electrically connecting, it to the movable switch arm. This bearing and connection may be quickly and easily assembled or disassembled, but is positively locked together when the switch is in normal position.

A continuous non-jointed connection is formed between the terminal of the line and the switch arm contact by a stranded leader which extends axially through the hearing be tween the terminal lug of the line and the insulator. In the modified form of my invention this flexible leader may extend all the way from the terminal to the switch contact, but at all events the leader shunts the mechanical joint or bearing between the stationary line terminal and the swinging arm or contact.

Another feature of the invention is the novel construction of the blade member, and especially of the split contact or contact aws for one of the blades. This contact comprises a pair of spaced jaws which are mount.- ed mechanically on the end of one switch arm through suitable springs. Electrical connec' tion between the jaws and the arm or its ter 1 minal is had by means of stranded flexible leaders which have their respective ends secured to the jaws and the blades. By this construction, I am able to get suitable contact between the co-operating switch members even though one of them or both of them may be slightly out of alignment. This result is achieved by a novel sprin structure which permits the jaws to twist slightly.

There are also certain other features of the invention, which will become more fully apparent from the following specification when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings Figure '1 is a side elevational view of the preferred form of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan View taken on line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of another embodiment Fig. 4 is a top plan view taken on the hue 44 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of another embodiment;

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of same takenon line 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a top plan view of one of the blade members used in the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 3;

Fig. 8 is a side elevational view of same;

Fig. 9 is a top plan view of the blade member adapted to co-operate with the blade member shown in Fig. 7

Fig. 10 is a side elevational view of the blade member shown in Fig. 9;

Fig. 10A is an enlarged side elevation of one of the contact jaws;

Fig. 11 is a sectional view of the bearing assembly for the rotatable insulators in the modification shown in Fig. 3;

Fig 12 is a sectional view of the central bearing member for the modification shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 13 is a sectional View of the bearing assembly for the insulators of the modification shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 14 is an elevation ofthe lever and clevis assembly;

Fig. 15 is a sectional view of the blade adapter and a lug support for the modification shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 16 is a bottom plan view of same taken on line 1616 of Fig. 15;

Fig. 17 is a sectional view of the terminal lug and bearing member therefor used in connection with the modification shown in Figs. 1 and 3; and

Fig. 18 is a sectional view of same taken on line 18-18 of Fig. 17.

In the preferred form of my invention illustrated in Fig. 1, which shows a disconnect switch of 600 amps. capacity and suitable for 135 k. v., I provide two separate built up insulators 20 and 21. The insulator 20 comprises three insulator units 22, which are joined together by suitable bolts 23. The lower one of the units 22 is secured to a bearing member 24 by means of bolts 25. The

. bearing member 24 is, in turn, mounted on a rigidly in place. To hold the channel frame members 26 and 27 in proper spaced relationship, I provide the spacing members 36. These are secured to the sides of the channel members by means of bolts 37. A grounding lug 38 is fastened to one of the channel members and has a lead wire 39 connected thereto for grounding the switch.

Both of the bearing members 24 and 32 are of the same general structure. The bearing member 24 is shown, in section, in Fig. 13. It comprises a body portion 40 having an integral flange 41, which is provided with openings 42. The bolts 34 are adapted to extend through these openings for securing the bearing member to the channel member. Suitable recesses are provided at the upper and lower ends of the body member 40 for ball races 43 and 44. Obviously, instead of separate races, integral races might be provided. Also, instead of balls, rollers might be used. Rotatably seated on the body 40 is the insulator support member 45. This is provided with a flange 46 having threaded openings to receive the bolts which extend through the base portion of the bottom insulator unit. To permit the support 45 to revolve easily on the body 40, I provide the steel ball bearings 47 which are disposed between the races 43 and 48. A flange 49 integral with the support 45 forms an overhanging eave or water shed. At the lower end of the support 45, I provide the steel ball bearings 51, which are disposed between theball races 44 and 52. The ball race 52 rests on a suitable cone 53 which is threaded to the lower end of the support 45, and has its lower end 54 milled off to provide facets for engagement by a wrench. To lock the cone 53 in position, I employ a lock nut 55. To lubricate the bearing surfaces and the ball bearings, I provide a grease cup or alemite fitting 56 which extends through the. side of the body 40. It will be noted that the only point of contact between the revolvable support 45 and the body 40 is through the ball bearings 47 and 51. The surface area exposed in this way is very small, and in case of freezing or corrobearing member is of substantially the same construction as that illustrated in Fig. 13, except that the lower end of the revolvable support 45 is made longer so that suitable actuating mechanism may be fastened thereto. The extended portion of the bearing member 59 is designated by the numeral 60. The central bearing member 59, which may also properly be called the control bearing, is secured to the channel members 26 and 27, respectively,'by means of the bolts 61 and 62. To the upper end of the revolvable supports, l secure the separate lever arms 63 and 64 by bolts 65. A. clevis 66 is pivotally connected to the end of the arm 63. A pipe 67 connects the clevis 66 with another clevis 68 which, in turn, is pivotally connected to a. lever 69 bolted to the flange at the upper end of the revolvable support of the bearing member 24 by bolts 70. Likewise, the free end of the lever 64 is pivotally connected to a clevis 71. A. pipe or rod 72 connects the clevis 71 with a clevis 73 which is pivotally connected to a lever 74 fastened by bolts 7 5 to the flange on the upper end of the revolvable support of the bearing member 32. lit will be noted that by turning the lower end 66 of the bearing member 59 that the rotary motion imparted thereto will be transmitted by the links which are connected to the movable parts of bearing members 24 and 32, respectively. Hence, any desired angular movement of the insulator groups 20 and 21 may be obtained by simply var ing the lengths of the links which interconnect each of these groups with the central 4 bearing member 59. The clevises 71 and 66 are threaded to the pipes 67 and 72 and held by suitable lock nuts so that adjustment may be made. It is to be noted that when the switch is in its closed position, as

shown in Figures 1 and 2, the connecting rod 67 and the crank 63 are in their dead center position. The same applies to the connecting rod 72 and its crank 64. As a result, no amount of force transmitted through the connecting rods 67 and 72 will be eilective to rotate the actuating mechanism. Therefore the actuating mechanism locks the switch in its closed position. Another advantage of this arrangement lies in the fact that a slow powerful motion is obtained upon the initiation of the switch opening operation. In addition, it is to be noted that the arrangement of the cranks 63 and 64 is such that the cranks may be rotated in either direction to open the switch and the effect will be the same. Furthermore, and

this is one of the important features of my invention, it is to be noted that throughout the switch opening operation the connecting rod 67 and the connecting rod 72 are both under tension, that is they are both being pulled by the actuating mechanism in order to produce a rotation of their respective insulators. During the switch closing operation both of the connecting rods are beingpushed by the actuating mechanism and they are therefore both under compression throughout the entire switch closing operation. In other words, the stresses upon either connecting rod are always in the same direction as upon the other connecting rod. As a result there is no tendency for the actuating central bearing to be skewed to one side or to the other. In an arrangement wherein one of the connecting rods is being pulled at the same time that the other connecting rod is being pushed the reaction of the two forces is in the same direction and must be borne by the central actuating bearing. lin my construction the arrange ment is such that when the reaction in the connecting rod 67 is to the right, as seen in Figure 2, then the reaction in the connecting rod 7 2 is to the left as seen in this same figure, whereby they neutralize one another and produce no side thrust upon the rod on the other side of the bearing. This reduces the cost of the switch, from the manufacturer s point of view, in that it permits standardization.

The flanged mounting member 81 is bolted by bolts 83 to the upper end of the insulator group 20. Un the mounting member is bolted by bolts 83, the left hand switch arm. Theswitch arm 82 comprises a T-shaped reenforcing member 84 to which is bolted by the bolts 83 a flat bar conductor 85. As shown more fully in -Figs. 7 and 8, it will be noted that the conductor or bar 85 has both of its ends extending beyond the ends of the T-shaped member 84. To one of these ends is secured the flexible cable or conductor 86 by the plate member 87 and the bolts 88. The opposite end of the conductor 85 serves to make contact with a pair of co-operating jaws. shaped protecting hood 89 which is secured thereto by the bolts 90.

The upper end of the insulator group 21 is also provided with a mounting member 91 which is similar to that of the insulator group 20. It is bolted to the top insulator It is provided with a generally bOX- of this group by the bolts 92. To this mounting member, I secure the right hand switch arm 93. This arm is fully illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10 and comprises a generally T- shaped reenforcing member 94 to the underside of which is secured a conductor 95 by the bolts 96 which also serve to hold the blade member 93 on the mounting member 91. The bar conductor 95 has both of its ends extending beyond the ends of the reen forcing member 94. To one-of the projecting ends I secure the stranded flexible cable or lead 97 by means of the plate 98 and the bolts 99. At the opposite end I provide a novel contact structure which is adapted to co-operate with the conductor 85. This contact is generally designated by the numeral 100 and comprises a pair of angular or flared jaws 101 which may be of copper or other suitable conducting material. These jaws are spaced from the end of the conductor bar 95 and are connected thereto by the stranded flexible conductors 102 which are fastened to the lower ends of the jaw members 101. The jaws 101 are preferably cast directly upon the ends of the flexible leaders 102. They may be made of sections of tubing crushed or collapsed upon the leaders 102. The opposite ends of the flexible conductors 102 are secured to the conductor 95 by suitable plates 103 and bolts 1041 which extend through the conductor 95. To hold the jaws 101 in place, I provide a pair of springs 105 which are secured to the lower outer faces of the jaws by suitable screws and nuts 106. The opposite ends ofthese springs 105 are held firmly to the plate 103 b the studs 10 1. These springs are preferably, but not necessarily, made of phosphor bronze. They not onl serve to bring the contact jaws 101 into rm contact with the conductor 85 when the switch blades are in perfect alignment, but will also do so even though they may be slightly out of alignment. For this purpose, the jaws are spaced from the end of the bar conductor 95, thereby permitting the springs to twist or float laterally whenever necessary to permit the jaws 101 to make good contact with the contact end of conductor bar 85.

To the upper side of the blade member 82, and substantially in line with the longitudinal axis of the insulator group 20, is mounted the terminal member or adapter 110. The terminal member is illustrated in Figs. 17 and 18 and comprises a bearin member 111 and a terminal 'lu 112. The earin 'member lllhas a bi urcated portion w ich is adapted to straddle the vertical web, of the reenforcing member 84. Suitable bolts 113 serve to hold it-firmly in place on the web.

- The member 111 is provided with a hollow bore 115 through which the flexible conductor 86 is extended. The terminal lug member 112 is adapted to seat on the bearing surface 116 of the bearing member. Extending upwardly from this seating surface is a generally cylindrical portion 117 which is adapted to snugly fit in the terminal lug 112. It is provided with an annular clearance or relief 118 which is filled with grease for lubricating the bearing part. Integral with the upper end of thecylindrical portion 117 is a lug or key member 119 which is adapted to ride on the bearing surface 120 of the terminal 112. To permit mounting of the terminal112 on the bearing member 111, I'provide a keyway 121, which is slightly wider than the key 120 which co-operates with it. It will be noted that all that is necessary to remove theterminal from its bearing member is to bring the key 119 in line with the keyway 121. WVhen this is done, the terminal may readily be separated from the bearing member. However, when both of these are in engagement, as is the case when they are put into service, the key 119 serves to lock the terminal lug 112 to the bearing member 111. Hence, by this arrangement, it is necessary to turn the switch blade through to 180 before the key 119 will come into alignment with its keyway 121. In normal use, however, these do not come into register because the switch arm is not turned far enough. A grease cup or alemite fitting 122 extends through a side wall of the terminal 112 and opens intothe clearance space 118. The terminal lug has a downwardly extending flange portion 123 on its inner surface. Through this flange portion and through the body of the terminal itself extends an opening into which is securely fitted the flexible cable 86, which closes the upper end of the hollow terminal member 112. The lower end of the hollow member 112 has a skirt or circular eave overhanging the stud member 115. The leader 86 preferably is sweated to the terminal so as to insure satisfactory connection therewith. The lower portion of the terminal has an outwardly extending lug 1241- to which the line conductor 125 is connected by suitable clamping plates 126 and bolts 127. However, in place of the plates, 1 may employ a terminal lug, as shown at 128 in Fig. 1. 1 have found that this terminal structure permits the switch arm to revolve easily about the terminal member as a pivot.

The switch arm 93 is provided with a hearing member 128 and a terminal lug 129 which are like the terminal lug and bearing member shown in Figs. 17 and 18. The bearing member 128 is seated on the upper edge of the T-shaped reenforcing member 9411.1](1 is socured thereto by suitable bolts 180. The line conductor 131 is connected to the terminal lug 129 by means of the terminal lug 132 and the bolts 133.

From the foregoing description, it will be noted that a switch of this type is operable at all times. The bearing parts are pro tected from rain and sleet, and the like. The relatively small surface area which is comprises the insulator groups 135 and 136,-

each of which consists of the insulator units 137 and 138, respectively. The units 137 are firmly secured to each other by the bolts 139. Likewise, the insulator units 138 are permanently connected to each other by the bolts 140. The insulator group 135 is mounted for rotatable movement on the bearing member 141 to which it is secured by the bolts 142. The bearing member 141 is provided with an integral flange through which extend the bolts 143 for fastening it to a channel 144. The insulator group 136 is secured by the bolts 146 to a bearingmember 145 which is similar to the bearing member 141. The bearing member 145 is secured to the channel 144 by bolts 147.

In Fig. 11, I illustrate a cross-sectional view of the bearing member 141 on which the insulator group 135 is mounted. As

stated heretofore, the bearing member 145 is similar in structure to the bearing member 141 and the description which follows, therefore, will also apply to it. It comprises the shell or body'member 148, which is preferably made of malleable iron or bronze, and which is adapted to extend through a suitalbe opening 149 in the channel member 144.

It is provided with an integral flange 150 by means of which it is clamped to the channel.

Suitable ball races 151 and 152 are provided at its upper and lower ends, respectively, for the steel ball bearings 153 and 154. Adapted to extend through the central portion of the body 150 is the rotatable support member or spindle 155, which is also provided with suitable races for the ball bearings 153 and 154. The lower end of the spindle 155 is threaded to receive bearing nut 156 and the lock nut 157. A cotter pin 158, which extends through an opening 159 at the lower end of the rotatable member 155, serves to keep the castellated nut 157 in place. The

ball bearings 153 and 152 have support at" A 182 at its opposite end for making pivotal three points in the correspondingraces. suitable lubricant may be. furnished to the bearing parts by'means of a grease cup 160 which extends through the side wall of the body 148. A flange 161 is provided at the an eave and serves to keep rain, sleet, and the like, from the bearing surfaces and the ball bearings. It may easily be moved because of the relatively small area of the engaging surfaces.

The central bearing member 163 is disposed substantially centrally between the bearing members 141 and 145. A sectional view of this bearing is shown in Fig. 12. It is of the same general design' as that shown in Fig. 11 and comprises a body member 164 having suitable ball races at its upper and lower ends for the ball bearings 165 and 166. The rotatable member or spindle 167 extends through the central portion of the body 164 and is adapted to roll on the ball bearings 165. It is provided with an integral insulator supporting flange 168 at its upper end to the lower end 169 for actuating the rotatable member and the links which are connected thereto.

The lower end 169 of spindle 167 has an octagon shape with groove 169a formed about the same. A lever 1695 has a split hub havin an octagonal opening therethrough. hissplit hub is adapted to be clamped by two bolts 1690 upon the shank 169 in any one of eight positions. A bead 169d is formed on the inn-er surface of the hub to fit the groove 169atokeep the hub from jarring endwise oif of the shank 169. Obviously, instead of a groove in the shank a flange at its ends might be provided. Any suitable number of sides may be employed for shank 169.

To the flange 168 are secured a pair of levers 173 and 174 by suitable bolts 175. To

these levers are, in turn, pivotally connected the clevises 176 and 177, respectively. A suitable lever 178 is fastened to the rotatable portion of the member 141 by suitable bolts 179. A link member 180, which is threaded into the clevis 17 6 or otherwise fastened therein, is pivotally connected at its opposite end to the free end of the lever 178. This completes the link mechanism required to actuate the insulator group 135 by movement of the central bearing member 163. To the clevis 177 is fastened a pipe member 181 which may also be provided with a clevis connection to a lever 183. The lever 183 is, in turn, secured to the rotatable portion of the mounting member 145. Now, by actuating the central member 163, the insulator group 136 will also actuate about its bearing member.

The switch arm construction used in connection with this embodiment is substantially the. same as that illustrated in connection with the embodiment shown in Fig. 1. The switch arm members 185 and 186 are each secured to their respective insulator group by means of mounting bases 187 and 188 and the bolts 189. The switch arms are likewise provided with terminal members 190 and 191 which are of substantially the same structure as that illustrated in Figs. 17 and 18. Suitable arcing horns 192 and 193 may also be secured to the switch blade members 185 and 186, respectively, if desired. These horns are formed in the shape of irregular angles. The remote sides are substantially straight, but the adjacent sides have laterally extending, or substantially horizontal, portions 192a and 193a which overlap when the switch is closed. When the arms 185 and 186 are moved toward open position the contacts will not at once he disengaged. These arcing horns overlap during such initial movement, and when the contacts actually do separate then the points or knees 192?) and 1933) start to leave contact, and if any are is drawn it tends to rise along the inclined sides above the points 192?) and 193?) and be ruptured. The action of this switch is also similar to that of the one illustrated in Fig. l. The lines which are connected to the terminals 190 and 191 are held in tension so as to prevent any movement of the terminals when the switch is actuated. This permits pivotal movement of the individual blade supports about the stationary portions of the terminal lugs as pivots.

The modification shown in Figs. 5 and 6 is shown as adapted for lower voltage, namely, about 120 k. v. I provide single insulator units 200and 201. These insulators are secured to the upstanding base portions of the levers 230 and 235 by suitable bolts. The levers 230 and 235 are, in turn, secured to the hearing members 202 and 203 by bolts 204. These bearings extend through suitable openings in the channel 205 and are secured thereto by the bolts 206. Disposed centrally between the bearing members 202 and 203 is the central bearing or actuating member 207. This, likewise, extends through a suitable opening in the channel by the bolts 208.

T he central bearing member 207 is substantiallylike bearing member 163 shown in detail in Fig. 12.

Both of the bearing members 202 and 203 are of substantially the same construction as the central bearing member 207 except that the lower portion 220, to which the actuating mechanism is connected, is cut off.

The levers 224 and 225 extend from a central plate 226 which is bolted to the flange 215 of the spindle of bearing 207. The lever 224 is pivoted to a clevis 227 into which is threaded a link member 228. To the opposite end of the link 228 is fastened a clevis 229. The lever 230 is fastened by bolts 204 to the rotatable flange portion of the bearing member 202. The free end of the lever 230 is pivotally connected to the clevis 229. Now, it will be seen that by actuating the central bearing member that the link mechanism connected thereto will also actuate the insulator unit 200 which is mounted to the bearing member 202. The structure for actuating the insulator unit 201 is exactly the same as that our ployed for actuating theinsulator unit 200. It comprises the clevis 232, which is pivotally connected to the lever 225 at one end and has a link member 233 secured to it at its opposite end. Connection between the lever 233 and the bearing member 203 is had by means of a clevis 234 which is secured to the link 233 and a lever 235 to which the clevis 234 is pivotally connected. The lever 235 is secured to the spindle of bearing member 203 by the bolts 204. The channel 205 has a grounding lug 236.

To the upper end of the insulator 200 is secured the bracket clamp 240. This bracket is illustrated in Figs. 15 and 16. It comprises the clamping socket 241, the base portion 242, and the bearing support 243. The clamping socket 241 receives the end of the tubular arm 244. This clamping socket is split and has the bolts 245 for shrinking it. The base portion 242 is adapted to seat on the top of the insulator unit 200 and is secured thereto by means of the cap screw 216 which extends through the hole 247 into threads in the cap of the insulator. Dowel pins 248 are seated in registering recesses in the base 242 and the insulator cap. The bearing support 243 has the general shape of a circular convex shell. It has an axial threaded opening through which is threaded the end of a shouldered bearing pin 249 which is held to the mounting member 243 by means of a lock nut 250. The pin 249 has a shank of a diameter larger than that of the threaded end. Fitted over the shank portion of the terminal 249 is the terminal lug 251. This is provided with a clamping end 252 and a diagonal portion 253. The diagonal portion 253 terminates in a generally circular head 254 which fits over the bearing pin 249. The upper side of the head 254 has a conical ball race 255, and the lower side has a similar ball race 256. These races contain steel balls 257 and 259 which are confined between the races and suitable end bearings. The lower bearing is formed by the head of the pin 249 and the upper bearing is formed by a block 260 which rests against the bottom of the bearing support 243. To connect the clamping portion 252 of the terminal lug 251 to the line conductor 261. I provide the clamping plates 262 and the bolts 263. To the underside of the clamping portion 252 is secured a flexible stranded ribbon or conductor 264 by a clamping plate 265 and the bolts 263 and nuts 266.

The blade member 244, which is secured to the terminals 240, comprises a copper tube 270 which has the .slits 271 out into it in a vertical plane at the end, which fits into the clamping portion 241. The stranded ribbon 26 i extends through the pipe 270 and into the forward end which is flattened upon the end of the ribbon. This flattened end 272 forms a mounting for contact jaws 27 6. At its rear end the ribbon 26 i is clamped to the terminal 252 and to the line conductor 261 by plates 262 and bolts 263.

The jaws 276 are fiat pieces of cast copper, brass, or bronze, which are cast upon the outer ends of flexible stranded leaders 273, and have outwardly diverging or flared lips 27 6' for guiding the co-operating contact 276 on the arm 285.

The jaws 27 6 have upon their outer sides parts of projecting pins 278 co-operating with leaf springs 277 which have holes loosely fitting upon the shanks of said pins and resting against the convex bases thereof. The pins have heads for preventing accidental disengagement from the springs as shown in Fig. 10A and as described in the foregoing embodiment.

The jaws 276 and their mounting upon the flat portion 272 is like the structure disclosed in Figs. 10 and 10A above.

The springs 277 and flexible leaders 27 3 are clamped to the flattened end 27 2 by bolts 27 5 and plates 274.

The swit' h arm 285 also consists of a piece of copper tube clamped by the split clamp 286 which is like the split clamp 240 hereto; fore described.

The flexible stranded conductor 281 extends from the terminal of the line conductor 282 through the arm 285 to the forward end of the same, where the tube is flattened or crushed flat upon the end of the flexible conductor to form a switch blade contact 287. This blade contact 287 is adapted to enter between the jaws 27 6 when the switch is closed. If desired, a protecting hood may cover the jaws 276 and adjacent parts.

In the operation of the above described forms of switches the arms rotate in opposite angular directions with the result that the movement of the contacts is concurrent upon one side of the lineof the insulators for closing movement and divergent on the same side of the line for opening movement.

The arms are designed to move from a position of substantially direct alinement when closed to a position of substantially parallelism when open. The arms extending from the central bearing and from the rotary insulators are so designed as to secure this movement upon substantially of movement from the central actuating spindle, but it will be apparent that the angular relations may be varied by changing the linkage.

I now wish to emphasize another important feature of my invention, namely, that small namely, that the first part of the movement exertsa very great force for breaking ice or corroslon.

If the adjustment of the connections is not accurate as, for example, if three switches in the three phases of a line are not all exactly in angular synchronism, no failure to make contact occurs because the contact extends over a relatively large part of the movement at the inner end of the path.

It will .be observed that the diverging lips on the jaws extend out endwise and that the contacts engage substantially endwise with a wiping and turning motion, This is beneficial in securing and maintaining good contact. The jaws are mounted for universal move-' ment on the pins and hence tend to aline themselves with the knife or blade contacts. The guiding and holding springs do not permit unrestrained sidewise or endwise movement of the jaws and hence do not permit the flexible leaders tobe subjected to undue stresses.

In each modification the switch arm C0111- prises a reenforcing arm for the sake of strength and rigidity, and a low resistance conductor in parallel therewith. The low resistance conductor shunts the rotary joint and hence the rotary joint does not interpose any resistance.

A further feature of my invention resides in the directness of the connection throu h the switch with a minimum loop effect. The loop effect is undesirable because of the destructive magnetic stresses which develop on heavy current flow. Attention is called to the fact that in the modification shown in Fig. 5 the electrical connections through the switch form practically a straight line with a minimum of loop efiect.

I do not wish to be limited to the details shown or described.

I claim I. In combination, a base, a pair of bearing members disposed on said base, an insulator support rotatably mounted on each of said bearin members, a central bearing member secure to said base substantially intermediate said insulator supports and extending substantially parallel to the first mentioned bearing members, a pair of levers secured to said central bearing member, a lever secured to the rotatable portion of each of said bearing members, link mechanism interconnecting the levers of the bearing members adja cent the opposite ends of said base, means for actuating the central bearing member to actuate the two insulator supports through said levers and link mechanism, and a pair of switch blades secured to said insulator supports, said switch blades being moved into or out of engagementin opposlte angular directions by actuating the levers and link mechanism interconnecting. said insulator supports with said central bearing member.

2. In combination, a switch arm, an insulator rotatable on its axis for supporting and operating said switch arm, a hollow stud connected to said arm axially in line with the insulator, a line terminal having av sleeve embracing said hollow stud, and a flexible conductor electrically connecting the line terminal and the arm, said conductor extending through the hollow stud.

3. A disconnecting switch comprising a pair of spaced insulated supports, arms extending toward each other from said supports and having cooperating contact members and operating means for said arms located between said supports arranged to impart a rotative movement to said arms in the same direction to loosen the engagement between said contact members and subsequently to impart relative movement to said arms away from one another and in the same direction of rotation as the first mentioned movement to separate said contact members.

4. A disconnecting switch comprising a pair of supports, contact members carried by said supports and mechanism, including a pair of cranks for rotating said supports, said cranks being arranged approximately at their dead center position when said contact members are in engagement with one another, and said cranks being located with reference to their centers of rotation so that they both move spaced rotatable insulators, an actuating member disposed between the insulators for actuating them, and connections between the actuating member and each of the insulators for transmitting the actuating force from the actuating member to the insulators, said connections including a pair of cranks rotatable with the actuating member,'and connecting rods extending from the cranks toward the respective insulators, said sets of cranks and connecting rods being symmetrically located upon opposite sides of a transverse center line of the switch when the switch is in its closed position.

7 A disconnect switch comprising a supporting base, a pair of spaced parallel bearing members mounted thereon, parallel insulators mounted on said bearing members,a third bearing member mounted on said base substantially midway between said first bearings and extending substantially parallel to said first two bearings, means for rotating the movable element of said third bearing to actuate the switch, means including connecting rods for transmitting the actuating force from said third bearing to each of the two first named bearings for rotating the two insulator stacks, said means including means for rotating the two insulator stacks and the associated connectingrods always in opposite directions, and switch blades carried by the respective insulators and moved into and out of engagement with one another by rotation of said insulators.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 23rd day of September, 1926. ALFRED ALSAKER.

in opposite directions with reference to the longitudinal center line of the switch throughout their entire range of movement whereby the reaction on the two cranks due to the "forces transmitted therethrough are in opposite directions.

5. A disconnect switch including two spaced rotatable insulators, an actuating member disposed between the insulators for actuating them, and connections between. the actuating member and each of the insulators for transmitting the actuating force from the actuating member to the insulators, said connections including a pair of cranks rotatable with the actuating member, and connecting rods extending from the cranks toward the respective insulators, each of said connecting rods extending from the associated crank in a direction away from the center of rotation of .the crank and substantially in line with its associated crank when the switch is in the closed position, whereby the actuating member may be rotated in either direction to open the switch.

6. A disconnect switch including two 

